Drug Treatment Shouldn't Become A Ghetto, It Should Maximise Opportunities To Recover: Message from the Launch of RUN

RUN was officially launched this week (2nd October 2013) in the European Parliament, Brussels in an event hosted by MEP Marco
Scurria.

3rd October 2013

RUN (Recovered User’s Network) was officially launched yesterday (2nd October 2013) in the European Parliament, Brussels in
an event hosted by MEP Marco Scurria and attended by people from all over Europe.

The launch of RUN had been organised by its’ founding members of former drug users in a bid to express the need for more long-term
services for drug users who want to stop using drugs. Professor Neil McKeganey, explained that previously in the UK, the majority
of drug users accessing treatment services were provided with clinical treatment but a lack of support to facilitate their
original goals of becoming drugfree. Those with drug addiction require a much broader package of support to enable them to
live without a chronic dependence, he continued, to help them rebuild their lives, in areas such as in employment, housing
and in terms of strengthening family relationships. Professor McKeganey noted that part of the “problem is that treatment
can become a ghetto” of continuing dependence if broader support is not available.

“For the first time, the word “recovery” has been mentioned in the new EU Drugs Strategy (2013-2020)”, explained Justyna Glodowska-Wernet of the European Commission; a move which has been warmly welcomed by therapeutic communities, former users, recovery organisations and members of the
EU Civil Society Forum on Drugs.

Roland Simon, of the EMCDDA, highlighted the need to provide broader packages of support, while also highlighting the need for additional research to
be carried out in the field of recovery. The EMCDDA itself has been working on a publication with authors from Ghent University,
Belgium which will be available in early 2014.

Boro Goic, Chairman of RUN said that now was a good time to launch RUN, a network for former recovered users as there is limited support to help people
stop using drugs completely, particularly in some parts of Europe and that such initiatives not only have benefits for the
individual, but also for wider society.

RUN is now accepting new members who are either individuals or organisations supporting people in recovery. The aim of RUN
will be to advocate on the political level for rights of former drug users and also to help shape policies to better shape
services. For more information, please contact run@eurad.net or search for RUN – Recovered Users Network on facebook to find
out more.

The first video was shown during the event. The second video is supplementary information.

You need Adobe Flash and Javascript to view this file

You need Adobe Flash and Javascript to view this file

Media Contacts

For any media enquiries, please call +3227360572 during office hours.

About

We are a network of NGO's which seek an approach to the drug problem which emphasises the importance of prevention and recovery.
We represent our members at the EU and UN level. We are a registered non-for-profit organisation from the Netherlands and
we have a communications base in Brussels.